Representations of intergenerational care on BBC children’s television

Abstract

This paper contributes to research on media representations of care with a textual analysis of BBC children’s television. As a public service broadcaster, the BBC is tasked with the fostering and sustaining of citizenship. This paper argues that representations of care are an important way by which the BBC can potentially meet its remit and inform children’s perceptions of informal care. It takes a focused look at the portrayal of grandparent-grandchild relationships of care in three programmes: ‘Mr Alzheimer’s and Me’, Katie Morag and Topsy and Tim. All three programmes show narrative moments which map onto Tronto’s (1998; 2003) concept of good care, including attentiveness, responsibility, competence, responsiveness, solidarity and trust. Grandparents and grandchildren are shown to be caring for each other. However, programmes do not challenge the inequalities which continue to structure the realities of informal care work. Neither the inequalities of power between carers and care receivers, nor the lack of public and government support for carers are addressed, and adult informal care is gendered. This paper argues that while BBC children’s programmes provide important opportunities for children to learn the meaning of good care, in order for it to meet its public service remit, it should also provide opportunities to learn about the relationships of power that structure informal care

Care–life balance: a new normal for men too?

“…So far, studies have dealt with the impact of social media use and interventions on carers' mental health and well-being (Cherak et al, 2020), as well as the possible benefits of the use of social media for carers (for example, social support) (López-Gómez et al, 2021), but in terms of media representations of male carers, we identified a lack of scientific studies. In a study on a children's television programme focused on media representations of care, Inthorn (2018) found that while positive aspects of care were addressed, adult informal care remained gendered. Considering the impact of media on vulnerable groups (for example, children), we suggest a stronger research focus in this area to identify possible positive effects of role models for a more balanced (social) media representation of genders in informal care.…”